Helen Hall

With the rise and rise of online auctions like Ebay and with more people turning to Memorabilia for investment, it pays to be aware of the pitfalls of buying memorabilia. Dig has come up with this Top 10 of rules for buying Memorabilia. Be careful, it’s a jungle out there!

1) Always do your research on the seller - Wherever you consider buying from, whether it be online, through a dealer or auction house, make sure you fully research the person selling it and if you are in any doubt about the item being sold, just don’t buy it.
2) Only buy from reputable sellers - There are many many dealers out there, not all of whom are trustworthy. Make sure you only buy from well-established and reputable dealers and auction houses.
3) Seek a second opinion – Ask around about the item you are considering buying. Get second opinions from other dealers and from auction house specialists.
4) Check condition carefully – If you are buying over the internet or from a catalogue and can’t see the item in person, make sure that the picture is a true representation of the item and if in doubt about the condition, ask for a condition report. All dealers and auction houses should be more than happy to oblige.
5) Research the provenance - Find out what you can about the provenance of the item. Where was it obtained? What date? The more provenance an item has, the easier it is to research the authenticity and the more interesting the item is.
6) Research the asking price – Check auction house databases and dealers’ websites for similar items to get a sense of the true value and ensure you are not paying over the true market value.
7) Beware of so-called forensic examinations - Although there are some reputable forensic document examiners practicing around the world, there are also some who have not undergone the proper training.
8) Beware of Certificates of Authenticity - Just because an item is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, it doesn’t automatically guarantee authenticity – after all, anyone can print off a certificate. Make sure that any documentation comes from a reputable dealer and ideally, comes with a money back guarantee too.
9) Always buy what you love - Buying memorabilia should be an emotional journey rather than being primarily motivated by investment. That way, if the market does change, you will still own something that brings you pleasure for years to come.
10) If it’s too good to be true, it usually is - Trust your instincts!